Pakistan registers concern on Fai arrest with US embassy

Islamabad, July 22 (IANS) The Pakistan government has issued a demarche to the US embassy to register its concerns on the arrest of Kashmiri American lobbyist Ghulam Nabi Fai and asked its mission in Washington to get details.

Pakistan has also appreciated the contributions made by Fai and the Kashmiri-American Council (KAC) for the cause of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued by the foreign office here Thursday, the government said campaigns to defame the “just cause” of the Kashmiri people would not affect its legitimacy, Geo News reported.

“A demarche was made to the US Embassy in Islamabad today to register our concerns, in particular the slander campaign against Pakistan. Our embassy in Washington has been asked to ascertain details,” said the statement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has charged Fai, who heads the Kashmir American Council (KAC), for pushing the Kashmiri issue in Washington with covert Pakistan funding for over a decade.

He was arrested in the US Tuesday on charges of participating in the conspiracy to act as an agent of the Pakistani government without disclosing his affiliation.

“We appreciate the contributions made by the Kashmiri-American Council (KAC) and Ghulam Nabi Fai for the cause of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Pakistan government statement said.

Jammu and Kashmir, it said, was one of the oldest disputes on the agenda of the UN.

“There are several UN Security Council resolutions on the subject that affirm the inalienable right of the Kashmiris to self-determination,” the statement said.

“Upholding fundamental rights of Kashmiris is the fundamental responsibility of the international community and all conscientious people who value human rights and values.

“KAC has been working towards this end and Kashmiris appreciate and applaud its services. Campaigns to defame the just cause of the Kashmiri people will not affect its legitimacy. Fai is a US citizen,” it added.